For those of us juggling a busy life filled with work and household chores, meal prepping can feel like a major challenge. However, a good rice cooker can significantly lighten the load.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the best rice cookers, perfect for anyone aiming to minimize cooking time while consistently achieving great results. Stick around for tips and advice at the end of this guide.
Best Versatility
| Dimensions | 64 Fluid Ounces |
| Capacity | 8.2″D x 9.7″W x 9.9″H |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Wattage | 400 watts |
The Hamilton Beach digital programmable rice cooker and food steamer is a versatile kitchen tool. This multi-function cooker can prepare rice, whole grains, hot cereal, and steam seafood, eggs, vegetables, and more. It’s one of the best rice cookers for its versatility.
The removable nonstick pot can cook up to 8 cups of rice, making it ideal for large families. With one-touch cooking options, you can perfectly cook white rice, whole grains, or hot cereal.
The countdown timer shows you how much time is left, and the cooker automatically switches to warm when done.
The versatile steam basket doubles as a colander. It is great for rinsing rice or grains and steaming vegetables or seafood while your rice cooks below. This appliance is perfect for one-pot meals like homemade fried rice or shrimp with rice.
If you’re searching for the best rice cookers, the Hamilton Beach programmable rice cooker & food steamer is worth considering. It’s designed for convenience and efficiency, making meal preparation simpler and faster.
Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer Reviews
- Versatile: Customers appreciate its ability to cook rice, steam vegetables, and more.
- Easy to use: Users love the straightforward controls and programmable settings.
- Large capacity: Many reviews highlight its ability to cook enough rice for large families.
- Affordable: Customers find it to be a good value for the price.
- Consistent results: Users mention that it consistently cooks rice perfectly.
- Cleaning difficulty: Some reviews note that it can be difficult to clean.
Best Advanced Technology
| Dimensions | 9.5″D x 15.5″W x 11″H |
| Capacity | 1.9 Quarts |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Wattage | 1050 watts |
The Zojirushi NP-HCC18XH rice cooker and warmer is a top-tier kitchen appliance for rice aficionados. Featuring superior induction heating technology, it ensures precise temperature control, providing flawless rice every time.
People on Reddit also love the machine’s variety of cooking functions, including settings for white rice, sushi, jasmine, sweet rice, and porridge, making it one of the best rice cookers for versatility.
For those seeking healthier options, it includes settings for brown rice, GABA brown rice, and germinated brown rice.
The triple heater system (bottom, side, and lid) ensures even heating. The clear LCD control panel makes it easy to navigate features like keep warm, delay timer, and quick cook.
The clear-coated stainless steel exterior is not only stylish but also easy to clean.
The black thick spherical inner cooking pan and detachable, washable stainless steel inner lid contribute to its durability and ease of maintenance.
The automatic keep-warm feature keeps your rice at the perfect serving temperature.
For those who are looking for the best rice cooker, the Zojirushi NP-HCC18XH is an excellent choice, designed for convenience, precision, and versatility in any kitchen.
Zojirushi NP-HCC18XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer Reviews
- High quality: Customers praise the premium build and advanced induction heating.
- Consistent cooking: Users love the perfect rice every time, regardless of type.
- Versatile settings: Many reviews highlight the variety of cooking settings for different grains.
- Durable: Customers mention the long-lasting quality of the product.
- Easy to use: Users appreciate the intuitive controls and clear display.
- Expensive: Some reviews note the high price point.
Best for Multiple Grains
| Dimensions | 9.75″D x 13.5″W x 8.88″H |
| Capacity | 8 Cups |
| Material | Stainless Steel, Plastic |
| Wattage | 700 watts |
The KitchenAid grain and rice cooker is perfect for those who love cooking a variety of grains.
This advanced appliance features an integrated scale that automatically senses the amount of grains, rice, or beans, calculating the ideal water-to-grain ratio for perfect results every time. This functionality positions it among the best rice cookers for ease of use and precision.
The integrated water tank dispenses the right amount of water, ensuring your grains cook perfectly. It’s also removable for easy refilling.
The cooker offers 21 preset options, allowing you to explore a wide range of whole grains, including rice, beans, oats, couscous, quinoa, barley, and farro.
The included steamer basket fits above the cooking pot, so you can steam ingredients while your grains cook below, making meal prep more efficient.
Its user-friendly touchscreen interface makes selecting cooking modes easy with an intuitive menu.
The delayed cook feature lets you add ingredients ahead of time and schedule cooking to begin up to 24 hours later, providing flexibility for your meal prep routines. These features make it one of the best rice cookers on our list.
For those seeking versatile and modern kitchen gadgets, the KitchenAid grain and rice cooker stands out as an excellent choice.
KitchenAid Grain and Rice Cooker Reviews
- Stylish design: Customers love the sleek and modern look.
- Versatile functions: Users appreciate its ability to cook various grains perfectly.
- User-friendly: Many reviews highlight the easy-to-use interface.
- Consistent results: Customers mention consistently perfect rice and grains.
- Durable: Users praise the solid build quality.
- Large footprint: Some reviews note it takes up a lot of counter space.
Best Multi-Functionality
| Dimensions | 12.2″D x 13.38″W x 12.48″H |
| Capacity | 5.68 Liters |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Wattage | 1000 watts |
The Instant Pot Duo is a versatile kitchen companion that combines seven appliances in one. This 7-in-1 device serves as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, and food warmer.
With 13 customizable Smart Programs, you can easily prepare a variety of dishes like ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, yogurt, and desserts with just one touch. It’s considered one of the best rice cookers due to its multifunctionality.
The pressure cooking option allows you to cook meals up to 70% faster than traditional methods, while the slow cook function lets you enjoy those classic, slow-cooked recipes.
Its fingerprint-resistant stainless-steel sides and dishwasher-safe lid, inner pot, and accessories ensure quick and easy cleanup.
Safety is a priority with over 10 safety features, including overheat protection and a safe-locking lid. The Instant Pot Duo is perfect for growing families, capable of cooking for up to six people.
The versatile inner cooking pot is made of food-grade stainless steel with a tri-ply bottom for even cooking, ideal for sautéing.
The free Instant Brands Connect App provides access to a plethora of recipes, available for both iOS and Android. For those seeking the best rice cookers and more, the Instant Pot Duo rice cooker is an excellent all-in-one solution.
Instant Pot DuoElectric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker Reviews
- Multi-functional: Customers love the versatility for cooking rice, slow cooking, and pressure cooking.
- Time-saving: Many reviews highlight the quick cooking times.
- Consistent results: Customers mention it consistently produces great results.
- Large capacity: Users like the ability to cook large meals.
- Learning curve: Some reviews note it takes time to learn all the functions.
Best Intelligent Cooking
| Dimensions | 13″D x 10.13″W x 8.13″H |
| Capacity | 1.05 Quarts |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Wattage | 680 watts |
The Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker and warmer is one of the best rice cookers for everyone. It features advanced Neuro Fuzzy logic technology, ensuring perfect rice every time.
This 5-1/2-cup rice cooker is wall-mountable, making it a space-saving addition to any kitchen. Its spherical, nonstick inner pan provides uniform heating, enhancing the cooking process and making it one of the best rice cookers available.
With multi-menu selections, you can choose from settings like white (regular/sushi, softer or harder), mixed, porridge, sweet, semi-brown, brown, rinse-free, and quick cooking.
Praised by users on Reddit, the cooker’s automatic keep-warm, extended keep-warm, and reheat cycles keep your rice at the perfect temperature until you’re ready to serve.
The easy-to-read LCD clock and timer make it user-friendly, and the retractable cord offers hassle-free storage.
The Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 comes with two measuring cups, a nonstick rice spoon/scooper, a rice spoon holder, and recipes, ensuring you have everything you need to start cooking.
If you need a reliable and feature-rich rice cooker, this model is an excellent choice.
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer Reviews
- Advanced technology: Customers love the Neuro Fuzzy logic for perfect rice.
- User-friendly: Many reviews highlight the intuitive controls and clear display.
- Versatile settings: Customers appreciate the variety of cooking options.
- Durable: Users mention the high build quality.
- Pricey: Some reviews note it is more expensive than other rice cookers.
Best for Pressure Cooking
| Dimensions | 11.6″D x 15.6″W x 11.5″H |
| Capacity | 5 Quarts |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Wattage | 1150 watts |
The Cuckoo rice cooker & warmer is ideal for those who love versatility in their kitchen appliances.
This cooker offers 13 versatile modes, including options for GABA/brown rice, glutinous/white rice, nu rung ji, and multi-cook, making it one of the best rice cookers for variety.
Its large capacity can handle up to 20 cups of cooked rice, perfect for family gatherings or housewarming dinners.
Cooking is made effortless with user-friendly digital controls, a modern LED display, and advanced Fuzzy Logic Technology. This technology also supports smart automated features like the Preset Timer, allowing you to place ingredients in the pot in the morning and come home to freshly made rice.
The safe steam release system ensures that pressure is released softly and quietly, enhancing safety and convenience.
Included accessories like a rice spatula, measuring cup, and steam plate make this cooker even more practical. When it comes to cleaning, the Auto-Clean function automatically steams the interior, providing a deep and quick clean with minimal effort.
For those looking for the best rice cookers with extensive features and ease of use, the Cuckoo Electric Heating Pressure cooker & warmer is an excellent choice.
Cuckoo Electric Heating Pressure Cooker & Warmer Reviews
- Efficient cooking: Customers love the quick cooking times with pressure cooking.
- Versatile: Users appreciate the ability to cook rice and other dishes.
- Durable: Many reviews highlight the sturdy build quality.
- User-friendly: Users find the controls easy to navigate.
- Expensive: Some reviews note the higher price point.
Best Budget Option
| Dimensions | 8.63″D x 9.25″W x 8.5″H |
| Capacity | 2 Quarts |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Wattage | 350 watts |
The AROMA digital rice cooker is designed for simplicity and versatility in the kitchen.
With programmable digital controls, it offers a range of preset functions for cooking white rice, brown rice, steaming, and Flash Rice, which cuts cooking time by up to 50%. This functionality makes it one of the best rice cookers for busy households.
The provided steam tray allows you to steam meat, vegetables, and more while rice cooks below, making meal preparation efficient and convenient.
This cooker can perfectly prepare 2 to 8 cups of cooked rice or grains, ideal for small to medium-sized families.
The Sensor Logic Technology ensures delicious, fluffy rice by automatically controlling the internal temperature throughout the cooking cycle for optimal texture and flavor.
The AROMA digital rice cooker includes features like automatic Keep Warm mode, a 15-hour delay timer for flexible meal planning, and easy-to-use digital controls.
The cooker comes with a steam tray, rice measuring cup, serving spatula, and exclusive recipes and coupons for Mahatma and Carolina Rice.
If you’re searching for the best rice cooker that offers convenience, versatility, and ease of use, the AROMA digital rice cooker is an excellent choice. Its multiple functions and smart technology make cooking a breeze, ensuring perfect results every time.
AROMA Digital Rice Cooker Reviews
- Affordable: Customers appreciate the budget-friendly price.
- Easy to use: Users love the simple controls and preset options.
- Versatile: Many reviews highlight its ability to cook rice, steam, and slow cook.
- Compact: Users appreciate the small footprint for easy storage.
- Limited capacity: Some reviews note it may not be suitable for large families.
Best Compact Size
| Dimensions | 6.5″D x 8.5″W x 6.3″H |
| Capacity | 2 Cups |
| Material | Plastic, Metal |
| Wattage | 200 watts |
The DASH mini rice cooker steamer is perfect for those who need a compact and easy-to-use appliance. This small but mighty cooker can prepare rice, pasta, veggies, soups, stews, grains, and oatmeal with minimal effort.
Simply add water and your ingredients, press the cook button, and your meal is ready in less than 20 minutes.
Its quick and easy operation makes it one of the best rice cookers for busy individuals or small spaces.
The updated Keep Warm function and indicator light ensure your food never overheats or overcooks, delivering a perfect meal every time.
The DASH mini rice cooker is portable and compact, making it ideal for first apartments, college dorms, camper/RV travels, or smaller kitchens. It also comes in fun color options to match any kitchen décor.
Included with the 200-watt cooker are a mixing paddle, measuring cup, a removable pot with nonstick coating, a recipe book, and access to a recipe database.
For those looking for the best rice cookers in a small and portable form, the DASH Mini Rice Cooker Steamer is a fantastic choice.
Its simplicity and efficiency make meal prep a breeze, ensuring delicious results with less cleanup.
DASH Mini Rice Cooker Steamer Reviews
- Compact size: Customers love the small and portable design.
- Affordable: Users appreciate the low price point.
- Easy to use: Many reviews highlight the straightforward operation.
- Perfect for small portions: Customers mention it is ideal for single servings.
- Quick cooking: Users appreciate the fast cooking times.
- Limited capacity: Some reviews note it is too small for larger meals.
Best Ease of Use
| Dimensions | 5.5″D x 10″W x 9″H |
| Capacity | 3 Pounds |
| Material | Plastic |
| Wattage | 300 watts |
The BLACK+DECKER rice cooker is a versatile kitchen appliance designed for convenience and efficiency.
With a 6-cup capacity, it can prepare anywhere from 1 to 6 cups of cooked rice, making it perfect for both small and large meals, as well as leftovers. This rice cooker is ETL-listed, ensuring it meets high safety standards, which is one of the qualities of the best rice cookers.
One of its standout features is the automatic keep-warm function, which switches on after cooking is complete, keeping your rice ready to serve at the perfect temperature. The nonstick rice pot is fully removable, making cleanup a breeze as it’s dishwasher-safe.
This rice cooker also includes a food steaming basket, allowing you to prepare healthy meals with vegetables, fish, and more while your rice cooks below. The package comes with a measuring cup for precise cooking and a plastic serving spoon to prevent scratches on the nonstick pot.
With dimensions of 10 x 9.0 x 5.5 inches, the BLACK+DECKER rice cooker is compact enough to fit in most kitchens without taking up too much space.
If you’re searching for the best rice cookers that offer simplicity, versatility, and easy maintenance, this model is an excellent choice.
BLACK+DECKER Rice Cooker Reviews
- Affordable: Customers appreciate the budget-friendly price.
- Easy to use: Users love the simple one-touch operation.
- Compact design: Customers find it easy to store due to its small size.
- Quick cooking: Users mention the fast cooking times.
- Limited features: Some reviews note the lack of advanced settings.
Best User-Friendly Controls
| Dimensions | 7.44″D x 8.23″W x 7.36″H |
| Capacity | 4 Cups |
| Material | Ceramic |
| Wattage | 880 watts |
The GreenLife digital rice cooker offers a range of features for easy and healthy cooking. Its ceramic nonstick interior is derived from sand, ensuring your meals are toxin-free and healthier.
The nonstick coating makes cleaning a breeze, while the parts are dishwasher safe for even more convenience.
This rice cooker includes simple presets for white rice, brown rice, quinoa, and steel-cut oats. It ensures perfect results every time. This versatility makes it one of the best rice cookers available.
The vibrant LED control panel is user-friendly, making it easy to select your desired setting. Additionally, the fuzzy logic technology automatically adjusts cooking based on your home’s conditions, enhancing the quality of your rice.
A notable feature is the adjustable delay timer, which allows you to customize your cooking schedule.
Despite its compact size, this cooker can make up to four cups of cooked rice, perfect for daily use. The cool-touch exterior ensures safety on your countertop. It also includes a measuring cup and spatula.
Among the best rice cookers, the GreenLife digital rice cooker stands out for its health-focused and user-friendly design.
GreenLife Digital Rice Cooker Reviews
- Healthy nonstick: Customers appreciate the ceramic nonstick surface that is PFAS and PFOA-free.
- Compact size: Users love the small size, perfect for cooking rice for one or two people.
- Easy to clean: Many reviews highlight the dishwasher-safe parts that make cleaning a breeze.
- Versatile presets: Customers enjoy the various automatic presets for different grains and meals.
- Touch-screen controls: Users find the touch-screen interface easy to use and intuitive.
- Limited capacity: Some reviews note it is too small for larger families.
Best Non-Stick Surface
| Dimensions | 8.9″D x 10.4″W x 7.9″H |
| Capacity | 5 Cups |
| Material | Plastic |
| Wattage | 400 watts |
The IMUSA electric nonstick rice cooker is perfect for small kitchens or dorms, offering a warm feature to keep your food at the perfect serving temperature. Its tempered glass lid lets you monitor your cooking easily.
With its nonstick removable pot, cleanup is a breeze, and you can cook rice, oatmeal, stew, and more without hassle.
The IMUSA USA GAU-00012 is the best rice cooker for college dorms, RV travel, and compact living spaces. It comes with a serving spoon and a measuring cup, adding to its convenience. The rice paddle helps keep the nonstick surface scratch-free.
Featuring a modern white exterior, the IMUSA rice cooker blends well with any kitchen decor. Its simple on-off switch and indicator lights make operation straightforward.
This appliance is also energy-efficient, switching to warming mode once cooking is done, ensuring your rice is always ready.
The IMUSA electric nonstick rice cooker is among the best rice cookers for those who want an easy-to-use, versatile kitchen gadget.
IMUSA Electric NonStick Rice Cooker Reviews
- Nonstick surface: Customers appreciate the nonstick coating for easy cleaning and cooking.
- Affordable: Users love the budget-friendly price point.
- Quick cooking: Many reviews highlight the fast cooking times for rice.
- Simple operation: Customers find the one-button operation very convenient.
- Compact design: Users like the small size, which is easy to store.
- Limited features: Some reviews note the lack of advanced cooking settings.
Best for Budget
| Dimensions | 10″D x 7.5″H |
| Capacity | 3 Cups |
| Material | Glass |
| Wattage | 960 watts |
The Elite Gourmet electric rice cooker simplifies cooking rice, making it perfect for busy individuals. You can cook up to three cups of uncooked rice, resulting in six cups of fluffy, cooked rice.
This compact cooker is ideal for jasmine, basmati, or brown rice, eliminating the need to watch over a pot or guess if the rice is done.
The “Keep Warm” function ensures your rice stays warm and ready to serve for hours. This feature is especially handy for busy families who need flexible meal times.
The nonstick aluminum inner pot is easy to clean and durable, making it convenient for everyday use. Plus, you can remove the pot and serve rice directly from the cooker.
The Elite Gourmet rice cooker includes a tempered glass lid, allowing you to monitor the cooking process easily. Cool-touch side handles prevent accidents, and the included measuring cup and serving spatula add to the convenience.
This rice cooker is not only practical but also makes an excellent housewarming gift.
With the Elite Gourmet electric rice cooker, you can enjoy perfectly cooked rice without the hassle. It stands out among the best rice cookers for its ease of use, reliability, and thoughtful design.
Elite Gourmet Electric Rice Cooker Reviews
- Affordable: Customers appreciate the economical price for reliable performance.
- Nonstick pot: Users love the easy-to-clean nonstick cooking pot.
- Versatile: Many reviews highlight its ability to cook various grains and steam vegetables.
- Keep-warm function: Customers find the keep-warm feature very convenient.
- Compact size: Users appreciate the small footprint for easy storage.
- Basic features: Some reviews mention it lacks advanced cooking options.
Best Stylish Design
| Dimensions | 10.1″D x 10.7″W x 9.9″H |
| Capacity | 4 Cups |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Wattage | 825 watts |
The Cuisinart rice cooker combines sleek design with versatile functionality, making it an excellent addition to any kitchen. It features a brushed stainless steel housing with chrome-plated handles, providing a modern and elegant look.
This rice cooker can make between four to seven cups of cooked rice, perfect for small to medium-sized families.
Operating this rice cooker is simple with its traditional lever control that switches between warm and cook settings. Indicator lights show when the cooker is in cooking mode and when it has automatically switched to the “Warm” setting after the rice is done.
The tempered glass cover with a stainless rim and chrome-plated knob allows you to monitor your cooking easily.
Inside, you’ll find a high-quality stainless steel steaming basket, perfect for steaming vegetables and thin cuts of meat, making it easy to prepare healthy, fat-free meals.
The nonstick cooking bowl ensures that your rice doesn’t stick, and cleanup is a breeze since all removable parts are dishwasher-safe.
This cooker also includes a textured plastic paddle for stirring and serving, and a measuring cup specifically calibrated for rice.
The Cuisinart rice cooker stands out among the best rice cookers for its blend of style, simplicity, and versatility, making meal preparation effortless and enjoyable.
Cuisinart Rice Cooker Reviews
- Stylish design: Customers love the sleek and modern appearance.
- Stainless steel pot: Users appreciate the durable and easy-to-clean stainless steel cooking pot.
- Consistent results: Many reviews highlight the perfect rice cooked every time.
- Versatile: Customers enjoy the ability to cook rice, steam vegetables, and more.
- Durable: Users mention the long-lasting build quality.
- Pricey: Some reviews note the higher price compared to other rice cookers.
Rice Cooker Reviews
Rice cookers have received various feedback from users. These devices are praised for their convenience and efficiency. The best rice cookers consistently deliver perfectly cooked rice with minimal effort.
Users often highlight the time-saving aspect as a major benefit. With a rice cooker, you can set it and forget it, freeing up time for other tasks. This hands-off approach is significant for busy individuals or families.
Many reviews also mention the consistency in cooking. The best rice cookers ensure that each batch of rice is evenly cooked and fluffy. This reliability is crucial for those who enjoy rice as a staple in their diet.
User experiences generally reflect a positive sentiment. People appreciate the ease of use and the consistent results. Some mention how rice cookers have simplified meal prep, making it easier to include rice in their daily meals.
Overall, the best rice cookers reviews indicate high user satisfaction. The notable pattern is the emphasis on convenience and consistent cooking performance. This has made rice cookers a valued addition to many kitchens.
